Dry Beans Play Major Role in Traditional, Healthy

Smart Choice for a Healthy Life
Vol. 5, No. 1
Dry Beans Play Major Role in
Traditional, Healthy Hispanic Diet
By Judith Rodriguez, PhD, RDN and Doreen Bevans
Hispanics in the United States consume a
proportionately larger amount of beans (33%
more) than the general population.1 Beans are a
major source of protein, fiber, iron, manganese,
and magnesium in the traditional Hispanic diet.
Research indicates that consumers of dry beans,
peas, and lentils had higher intakes of nutrients
and lower glycemic indices than non-consumers.2,3 However, as with other immigrant groups,
as acculturation occurs, the diet changes include
increased intake of meats and decreased intake
of beans.
Hispanic Diet and Food Patterns
Dietary patterns differ across the Hispanic
groups, but there are some similarities. All
groups’ traditional diets are a combination
of indigenous foods, influences from Spain
and other cultural groups that settled in the
region. This includes maize, potatoes, tomatoes,
peppers, chocolate from the Americas, wheat,
rice, sugar, bananas, plantains, olives, coffee,
and oranges from the Old World.4 Caribbean
Hispanics had a strong influence from Africa
and Europe, while western areas of South
America had an Asian influence. Argentina had
a strong Italian influence; Brazil had German
and Chinese influence.
Meat and Beans
Latinos consume beef, pork, and fish, as well
as different legumes. Black, kidney, navy, and
pinto beans are popular as are chick peas, pink
beans, lima beans, lentils, and pigeon peas.
Various dry beans are used in stews and other
dishes. Beans provide low cost protein, fiber,
and magnesium which may partially account for
why the nutrient is not identified as a shortw w w.b ea n i n s t i t u te.c o m
fall nutrient among
Hispanics although
it is for the nonHispanic black population.5,6 Increased
acculturation is associated with decreased
rice and bean consumption.
Terminology Tip
Dairy
Whole milk is generally consumed, and despite
some resistance to lower fat milks, there is
increasing acceptance with acculturation.7,8
Cheeses are popular, especially among Mexican Americans. This includes Queso Blanco (a
white cheese). In the United States, yogurt has
been increasing in popularity, especially among
younger Hispanics.9 Cheese may be consumed
as a snack with coffee or hot chocolate, or
shredded and served over mashed beans or
other dishes. Dietitians should recommend that
cheeses be made from pasteurized milk.
Fruits and Vegetables
Savory vegetables, such as onions, peppers,
and garlic are chopped and added to foods or
sautéed and used as a seasoning base with or
without tomatoes or tomato sauce. Ingredients
such as cilantro, long-leaf coriander, cumin, bay
leaves, olives, and a variety of peppers add to the
flavor base. Starchy vegetables such as tanier,
taro, yam, sweet potatoes, ripe or green plantains,
and green bananas are boiled and included with
Hispanic refers to
people from countries
that were colonies of
Spain, or Hispaniola.
So a general reference
to such would exclude
countries such as Brazil
in South America,
which was a colony of
Portugal. For some,
Latino is a reference to
the Latin empire and,
as such, would include
Brazil. For others,
Latino is based on the
term Latin America,
which generally is
a reference to the
Americas. Hispanic
and Latino are used
interchangeably
throughout this article.
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S p r i n g 2 014
1
Dry Beans Play Major Role in Traditional, Healthy Hispanic Diet
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Find more information about the use
of beans in world
kitchens, including
recipes and videos,
at www.ciaprochef.
com/northarvest
meals or in thick stews or soups. Both tropical
and temperate weather fruits are popular and
are eaten fresh, canned, or in fruit-based beverages. However, sweetened carbonated and fruit
flavored drinks are replacing juices.
Grains
Corn or wheat tortillas and buns are most
commonly consumed by Mexican and Central
Americans and rice is more common for
Cubans and Puerto Ricans.10,11 However, the
popularity of Mexican tortillas and tacos among
mainstream Americans has also extended to
other Latino groups.
Cultural Variations in Meals and Dishes
Dry Bean Quarterly is
published four times a year
by the Northarvest Bean
Growers Association. An
electronic version of this
newsletter, with complete
references, can be found at
www.beaninstitute.com.
Editorial Advisory Board
Julianne Curran, PhD
Clifford Hall, PhD
Andrea Hutchins, PhD, RD
Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RD
Editorial Staff
Ed Stroesser, Managing Editor
Adam Veile, Editor
Please send comments to:
Dry Bean Quarterly
P.O. Box 237
Jefferson City, MO 65102
DBQ@mail.com
Northarvest Bean Growers
Association
50072 East Lake Seven Road
Frazee, MN 56544
Tim Courneya,
Executive Vice President
www.beaninstitute.com
2
Common Mexican and Central American
dishes include refried beans with tortillas. For
Puerto Ricans, the traditional dish is white rice
and red kidney beans, while for Cubans the
traditional dish is white rice and black beans.
Although some Mexican cuisine is associated
with “being hot,” Puerto Rican and Cuban
cuisine are better described as savory, spicy, or
highly seasoned. In the United States, due to
the increased exposure and popularity of ethnic
cuisines, each cultural group consumes foods
from other groups.
Health of Hispanics
U.S. Department of Health data indicate that
Latinos have among the highest rates of obesity
in the country, and are uninsured at a rate
higher than any other group in America.
Major causes of death among Hispanics include
cancer, heart disease, unintentional injuries (accidents), stroke, chronic liver disease, chronic lower
respiratory diseases, influenza and pneumonia,
and nephritis.13 In addition to health disparities
between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics,
it is important to compare Hispanic subgroups.
For example, although the prevalence of low
birth rates for Hispanics is lower than the nonHispanic white population, it is higher for Puerto
Ricans, as are infant mortality, asthma, and HIV/
AIDS. In addition, Mexican Americans have
higher prevalence levels of diabetes.13
Dry Bean Quarterly
continued from pg. 1
Obesity Rates A Concern
Latinos’ higher rates of overweight and obesity
than the non-Hispanic white population is a
major concern. Latinos are 1.2 times more likely
to be obese than non-Hispanic whites. Mexican American women have among the highest prevalence of overweight or obesity—78%
versus 60% of non-Hispanic white women.
Similarly, Mexican American children are 1.6
times more likely to be overweight than nonHispanic white children. Mexican American
boys are at particularly high risk for overweight
and obesity (19% obese versus 15% for nonHispanic whites).14 However, the HHANES
data indicated a variation in levels of overweight
among the various Hispanic groups.15
Areas of the Diet
That Need Improvement
Identifying total caloric and fat intake are
important elements of nutrition assessment.
One suggestion is to determine if, and how
much, added fat is used in the bean dishes and
to provide alternatives. For example:
n If lard is added, RDNs could recommend
olive or canola oil.
n If large amounts of fat or oil are used, RDNs
could recommend decreasing the amount and
using a small amount of extra virgin olive oil
for more flavor with less fat.
n If oil or fat are used to “refry” mashed
beans, RDNs could recommend using small
amounts of water or broth instead.
n If salt pork, bacon, sausages, chorizo, or fatty
meats are added, RDNs could recommend
adding cubes of lean ham, lean pork, turkey,
or lower fat sausage (e.g. chicken sausage
instead of pork) in small amounts.
Counseling Tips
Determine the socio-demographics, cultural
ancestry, and level of acculturation of the individual. Highlight the cultural role of beans, their
potential cost savings, their nutrient contributions, their role in prevention of common chronic
diseases, and the assistance they may provide with
References available on-line at www.BeanInstitute.com
weight regulation.16 Provide tips, such as draining and rinsing canned beans (to reduce sodium
by up to 35%), and discuss ways to easily integrate them into the diet. Explain how adding or
increasing beans improves the nutritional quality
of traditional and contemporary recipes. Highlight the cost effectiveness of consuming beans
as a protein food. Help the client establish goals
that are based on preferences, values, and level
of acculturation. Be sure these are small action
steps. Use a counseling technique that promotes
behavior change and empowerment, such as
the “Teach back” method.17 For example, after
providing nutrition education/information ask
the client to tell you:
Dry Beans Commonly Consumed (by nationality)
Country
Commonly consumed bean(s)
Comments
Argentina
Fava or red kidney beans*
Beans may be used in salads.
Belize
Red kidney beans**
Stewed beans may be made with
coconut milk and served with either rice
or tortillas.
Bolivia
Black beans*
Refer to them as porotos and make
black bean chili.
Brazil
Black beans**
Feijoada, a national dish, has black
beans and many types of meats and/or
sausages.
Chile
A local cranberry bean,
navy beans*
Porotos is a dish made with cranberry
beans.
Colombia
Red kidney beans
Refer to them as frijoles.
Costa Rica
Black beans
Black beans and rice, fried together are
called gallo pinto.
Cuba
Black beans, chick peas
Black beans and white rice are called
Moros y Cristianos, from Moors and
Christians.
Dominican
Republic
Red kidney beans
Habichuelas con dulce are beans made
as a dessert with raisins, cinnamon,
coconut milk, etc.
Ecuador
Many types, including black
or kidney
Refer to them as porotos.
El Salvador
Black or red kidney beans
A thick corn tortilla (pupusa) may be
stuffed with black beans.
Guatemala
Black beans
Refried black beans are frijoles
volteados.
Honduras
Many types
Have red kidney beans and rice.
Mexico
Pinto, black, red kidney,
chick peas
Beans are used in many dishes, intact
or refried (boiled, mashed), with rice,
tortillas, in stews, soups, mixed dishes
or casseroles.
Nicaragua
Kidney beans
Red beans and rice, fried together are
called gallo pinto.
Panama
Pigeon peas
Soupy rice with beans, meats and
starchy vegetables is called gallo pinto.
Pigeon peas are called guandu´.
n Serve more beans than rice in meals.
Paraguay
Pinto beans, black, chick peas
n Omit the meat, or serve a smaller portion,
for cost savings and a healthier meal in a rice,
beans, and meat meal.
Pinto beans for bean soup, also black
and chick pea.*
Peru
Peruvian (mayocoba or
Canary) beans, black beans
Peruvian beans are similar to pintos.
Puerto Rico
Red kidney beans, pigeon
peas, chick peas, navy beans,
pink beans
Refer to red kidney beans as
habichuelas and black beans as frijoles.
A matrimonio (a marriage) is a mix of
rice and beans. Pigeon peas are called
gandules.
Uruguay
Fava, red kidney, pinto beans
Beans may be used in salads.
Venezuela
Black, kidney or fava
The black beans are called caraotas
negras and the soup is called sopa de
frijoles negros.
Spain
Chick peas (garbanzo beans),
navy beans
Fabada is also known as Asturian (white
bean) soup; Potaje de garbanzo is
Spanish chick pea soup.
n What he or she will do to increase bean intake;
n Why it is important to do so;
n How he or she will do it in an easy adaptable
way.
Five Key Takeaways
For Latinos, beans are important culturally,
nutritionally, and economically. Some suggestions are to:
n Add tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, potatoes,
carrots, or sweet potatoes to stewed beans.
n Add more beans than meat in chili dishes
and traditional starchy soups or stews, such as
sancochos.
n Serve more white beans, which are higher
in iron, especially to persons at risk for iron
deficiency.2
Latinos in the U.S. are culturally persistent and
a heterogeneous group that bring and hold on to
traditions, but also adopt—and influence—U.S.
cuisine. The HHANES study concluded that
“Separate estimates of dietary intakes should
be made for each Hispanic group” because
grouping may mask important differences.11
However, the role of dry beans as an important
healthy traditional food and major contributor
Continued on pg. 4
w w w.b ea n i n s t i t u te.c o m
*Many types of beans are eaten but generally not consumed as commonly as in Central
America or other South American countries.
**Although Brazil, located in South America, was originally a colony of Portugal and is
Portuguese (not Spanish) speaking, it is included in the table due to its high black bean
consumption. Likewise, Belize, located in Central America was a British colony but has a
large population of people of indigenous and Spanish ancestry, as well as predominantly
Spanish speakers who have a large consumption of red beans.
S p r i n g 2 014
3
Dry Bean Quarterly
P.O. Box 237
Jefferson City, MO 65102
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Dry Beans Play Major Role in Traditional, Healthy Hispanic Diet
of nutrients to the diet should be encouraged
through the continued and increased consumption of a variety of beans.
Understanding the socio-demographic factors
of the local population served is critical for
culturally appropriate and culturally sensitive
nutrition education and program delivery.
Author’s Note: The terms Hispanic and Latino are
used to refer to many groups in the United States.
The terms generally refer to people in the U.S. with
an ancestral heritage of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto
Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The terms are
used interchangeably throughout this article.12
About the Authors
Dr. Judith Rodriguez, PhD, RDN, is chair
of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
at the University of North Florida. Over the
past thirty years, Dr. Rodriguez has been
involved in a variety of professional activities.
She was named the 2013 UNF Distinguished
Professor and is past president of the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Doreen Bevans, MS, a nutrition student at
University of North Florida, assisted with the
research for this article.
4
Dry Bean Quarterly
continued from pg. 3
Hispanics in the U.S.
Hispanics make up about 17% of the U.S. population (52 million
people). Of this number, 63% are Mexican Americans, 9% are Puerto
Ricans, 4% are Cubans, and the remainder is comprised of all
other Hispanic nationalities. The majority of Hispanics reside in the
southwest (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas),
the southeast (Florida and Georgia), northeast (New York and New
Jersey), and Illinois.12 Recent migration patterns indicate movement
by Hispanics to non-traditional areas, like Alabama, Arkansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
South Dakota, and Tennessee.18
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